Google rejigs Google Map with local events for now; Pollution levels soon?

Google Earth project has teamed up with envirotech firm Aclima to measure air pollution levels in California and map out the findings on its Earth platform.

Google has never let its Google Map miss a direction and this time not even pollution levels or local events.

Liz Hunt, Product Manager, Google Maps, in her blog gae away the summary of additions made to the most-used Google product on the earth after Google Search. Stressing that the world is an ever-changing place, she said, "Google Maps changes with it."

As roads close, local events and shopping malls get busy in the neighborhood and now Google Maps is ready catching them all for your. Whenever the user schedules an event using Google Calendar, he can get a reservation confirmation in Gmail, or add a restaurant to his or her "Want to Go" list. Reflecting the preferences, Google Maps will update the results.

"We're updating Google Maps with a new look that better reflects your world," promises Hunt in her blog.

To begin with Google Maps has updated the driving, navigation, transit and explore options on its maps highlighting the information most relevant to each and every expectation from gas stations for navigation to train stations for transit.

Later, Google Maps has updated the color scheme and added new icons to help commuters quickly identify exactly what kind of point of interest they are looking for. Whether a cafe, church, museum or hospital -- all have a designated color and icon now to make the experience easier.

Even in new neighbourhood, it's easy now to find the destination on the map. "For example, if you're in a new neighborhood and searching for a coffee shop, you could open the map to find the nearest orange icon, which is the color for Food & Drink spots," noted Hunt.

A latest creation is a cheat sheet of the new colors and icons to get acquainted with the new look.

What's on cards?

Google has recently undertaken an entirely new initiative that catches the pockets of air pollution one may want to avoid. But this is still a part of its Google Earth project and it has teamed up with envirotech firm Aclima to measure air pollution levels in California and map out the findings on its Earth platform.

Currently, two companies release hyperlocal air quality data for the San Fransisco Bay Area, Los Angeles and Central Valley and they have already covered more than 100,000 miles using Google Street View cars, said the tech giant.

Soon pollution points may reflect on Google Maps. Once this feature is applicable worldwide, whether Delhi or Beijing, users will instantly know which pockets of the city to avoid.

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